A minor child can travel alone by train in certain railway companies, or be accompanied by a referent, as is the case with the SNCF thanks to the Junior & Cie service. At what age can a child travel alone by train? What should you think about before departure?
Your child is a minor and he has to join his grandparents alone by train for the summer holidays? From what age can we let him travel alone by train? How can he be accompanied? In general, the minor must have with him some mandatory documents, such as parental or exit authorization. The SNCF railway company also offers families a support serviceJunior & Cie, for unaccompanied minors. What you need to know before letting your child travel alone by train, like a grown-up.
From what age can a child travel alone by train?
At the SNCF, a child can travel alone by train from the age of 4 and up to the age of 14. The condition is to use the support service set up by the SNCF during school holidays and weekends, this is the Junior & Co. service.
On the other hand, a child under 12 is not allowed to travel alone on a Thalys train and a Eurostar train.
What documents must a minor child have to travel alone by train?
According to the government website Transport qualitiesa minor child must have certain documents to travel alone by train, in particular his valid identity document, a parental authorization to leave the territory, a visa and his vaccination certificate. The documents must be presented to the train controller and may vary depending on the child’s age, situation and destination. Here are two scenarios:
- A child of French nationality leaving France : he must show his identity card and a certificate of leaving the territory. If the child goes to a country requiring a passport, he must present his own passport or visa in his name.
- A child without French nationality leaving France : he must have a valid individual passport and a circulation document.
How does the SNCF Junior & Cie service work for unaccompanied minors?
In order to better manage the children traveling alone by trainthe SNCF has set up its support service for minors: Junior & Co.. It serves 130 destinations during school holidays and more than 20 during weekends. The supervision is done by professional animators holding the BAFA, for a lively and secure journey.
This costs a minimum of 35 euros in addition to the ticket price, but the price is indexed to the number of children and the duration of the trip. For example, for a trip lasting less than 2h30, the price is 35 euros. For a trip between 2h30 and 5h, the price is 46 euros for a child. Beyond that, it costs 54 euros.
At the departure station, a guide or an SNCF agent awaits the parents and the child to check in and check the luggage. So think about arrive at least 30 minutes to an hour before the train departs. During the trip, the child is continuously supervised and occupied by the animator. Note, however, that the child must be able to go to the toilet alone, as the facilitators are not authorized to assist them, but only to accompany them. Once at the arrival station, it is given to the designated person after verification of their identity.
What documents should my child take?
The child must have his or her tickets on him, his Junior & Cie package, the signed Junior & Cie information form as well as his identity card or passport, and his “large family” card if he has one. When he checks in at the station, he will be given a cap and a bracelet that he must not take off during the journey.
Who accompanies children on SNCF trains?
The children are looked after by professional entertainers throughout the trip. These are people who hold the certificate of aptitude for the functions of facilitator (BAFA) who are also trained in support for minors in the railway environment. Each animator supervises a group of eight children.
How busy is he?
The child benefits from activities and board games, colouring… Everything so that time flies by!
What should he take in his bag?
First of all, be aware that it is your child who will have to carry their labeled luggage during the ascents and descents. It must therefore be light and not exceed 10 kg under penalty of being refused. In addition, your child will not be able to go to the bar car to buy food and drink. So remember to take him a snack and a bottle of water.
List of Junior and Company stations
The complete list of Junior and Compagnie stations, proposed by the SNCF, is available on the website juniorcie.sncf-connect.com.
- Your child is traveling alone. Qualitytransports.gouv.fr website: http://www.qualitetransports.gouv.fr/votre-enfant-voyage-seul-r187.html